System and method for processing distribution items in a distribution network

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for processing distribution items having unique identifiers affixed thereon. The unique identifiers can include computer readable codes and written alphanumeric strings generated by a user. A system receives the unique identifier and requests payment information from a user, and stores an association between the unique identifier and the payment information, and processes the item according to the payment information.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application61/927,720, filed Jan. 15, 2014, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FORPROCESSING DISTRIBUTION ITEMS IN A DISTRIBUTION NETWORK, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Any and allapplications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim isidentified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.

BACKGROUND Field

This disclosure relates to a system and method of processing an item ora plurality of items in a distribution network, including providingpayment for the distribution items to be distributed in the distributionnetwork.

SUMMARY

Some aspects of the present disclosure describe a method of processingan item comprising receiving an item in a distribution network;processing the item on one or more pieces of item processing equipmentcomprising an imaging device; reading the unique identifier on the itemusing the imaging device; querying, by a processor, the memory forinformation corresponding to the read unique identifier; and providinginstructions to the item processing equipment to move the item into oneof a plurality of locations based on the information corresponding tothe read unique identifier.

In some embodiments, a method for processing an item comprisesreceiving, by a processor, information related to a unique identifierassociated to an item; analyzing the information related to the receivedunique identifier; receiving, by a processor, item information relatingto the item; storing, in a memory, the unique identifier and the iteminformation; associating, in a memory, the unique identifier with theitem information; generating payment information regarding the item; andassociating, in a memory, the payment information with the uniqueidentifier.

In some embodiments, the unique identifier is generated by a user.

In some embodiments, the unique identifier comprises an alphanumericstring of characters.

In some embodiments, receiving information related to a uniqueidentifier comprises receiving a captured image of the uniqueidentifier.

In some embodiments, analyzing the information related to receivedunique identifier comprises performing optical character recognition ofthe captured image of the unique identifier to identify the alphanumericstring of characters.

In some embodiments, the unique identifier is a computer readable code.

In some embodiments, the unique identifier includes encoded iteminformation relating to the item, and receiving item informationcomprises decoding the encoded item information.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving the item ina distribution network; reading the unique identifier affixed to theitem; querying, by a processor, the memory for information correspondingto the read unique identifier; and processing the item based on theinformation corresponding to the read unique identifier.

In some embodiments, querying the memory comprises querying the memoryfor payment information associated with the read unique identifier, andwherein processing the item comprises processing the item based on thepayment information associated with the unique identifier

In some embodiments, reading the unique identifier comprises performingoptical character recognition of the unique identifier.

Another aspect of the present disclosure describes a system forprocessing items in a distribution network comprising a user interfaceconfigured to receive a unique identifier associated with an item andconfigured to receive item information relating to the item; a processorin communication with the user interface configured to receiveinformation related to the received unique identifier and to analyze theinformation related to the received unique identifier and configured toreceive the item information from the user interface; a payment system,in communication with the processor, configured to receive the iteminformation from the processor and generate payment informationregarding the item; a memory in communication with the processorconfigured to store the information related to the received uniqueidentifier, the item information, and the payment information; andwherein the processor is further configured to associate the informationrelated to the received unique identifier with the item information andthe payment information.

In some embodiments, the user interface is configured to receive theunique identifier which has been generated by a user.

In some embodiments, the unique identifier comprises an alphanumericstring of characters.

In some embodiments, the user interface is configured to receive acaptured image of the alphanumeric string of characters.

In some embodiments, configured to analyze the information related toreceived unique identifier comprises configured to perform opticalcharacter recognition of the captured image of the unique identifier toidentify the alphanumeric string of characters.

In some embodiments, the unique identifier is a computer readable code.

In some embodiments, the unique identifier includes encoded iteminformation relating to the item, and the processor is configured todecode the item information encoded unique identifier.

in some embodiments, the system further comprises a processing apparatusin communication with the processor, wherein the processing apparatus isconfigured to receive the item having the unique identifier thereon;read the unique identifier on the item to determine informationassociated with the unique identifier; and communicate the informationassociated with the unique identifier to the processor; the processorfurther configured to query the memory for information corresponding tothe information associated with the read unique identifier and todetermine instructions for processing the item.

In some embodiments, the processor is configured to query the memory forpayment information associated with the read unique identifier, andwherein processing apparatus is further configured to process the itembased on the payment information associated with the unique identifier

In some embodiments, the processor is configured to perform opticalcharacter recognition of the unique identifier.

Another aspect described herein relates to a system for processing anitem comprising means for receiving information related to a uniqueidentifier associated with an item; means for analyzing the informationrelated to the received unique identifier; means for receiving iteminformation relating to the item; means for storing the uniqueidentifier and the item information; means for associating the uniqueidentifier with the item information; means for generating paymentinformation regarding the item; and means for associating the paymentinformation with the unique identifier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will becomemore fully apparent from the following description and appended claims,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding thatthese drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with thedisclosure and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, thedisclosure will be described with additional specificity and detailthrough use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system for processingdistribution items.

FIG. 2A is an embodiment of an item having a unique identifier thereon.

FIG. 2B is another embodiment of an item having a unique identifierthereon.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a process forprocessing a distribution item having a unique identifier thereon.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a process forprocessing a distribution item having a unique identifier generated bythe distribution network.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a process fordistributing an item according to information associated with a uniqueidentifier on the item.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is directed to certain specificembodiments. However, the invention(s) disclosed herein can be embodiedin a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims.In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein likeparts are designated with like numerals throughout.

The features, aspects and advantages of the present development will nowbe described with reference to the drawings of several embodiments whichare intended to be within the scope of the embodiments herein disclosed.These and other embodiments will become readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the following detailed description of theembodiments having reference to the attached figures, the developmentnot being limited to any particular embodiment(s) herein disclosed.

Reference to the terms “mail,” “mailpiece,” or “item” includes letters,flats, postcards, parcels, cards, periodicals, correspondence, packages,and any other items or item types that are handled and distributed in orby a distribution network, delivery system, including an electronicdelivery system, and the terms are used interchangeably herein. Also asused herein, the term item may refer to items processed by a deliverynetwork, such as mail, letters, postcards, parcels, or may refer to anyitem in any distribution network such as items in a warehouse, alogistics network, airport baggage handling networks, or any other typeof distribution network

A user may desire to send, ship, track, or otherwise process an itemwithin a distribution network. The distribution network may requirepayment of a fee in order to send or ship the item. Distributionnetworks frequently require payment of postage or fees in order toreceive, process, ship, send, and/or deliver items. For example, paymentfor processing, shipping, or sending items can be provided by purchasingstamps, as in the case of the United States Postal Service, or by payingdirectly for the item and its processing or shipping at a distributionnetwork facility, such as a post office, a commercial shipment center,retail establishment, or similar facility, which must often be done inperson. Payment for existing shipping methods usually requires thedistribution to provide an indicia of payment for shipping or sendingcosts to be affixed or placed on the item to be shipped or sent, such astamp, a code, or other similar indicia.

Some aspects of the present disclosure provide for payment for an itemto be distributed in a distribution network using an identifier which isaffixed, attached, written, printed, or otherwise placed on the item.The identifier may be affixed, attached, written, printed, or otherwiseplaced on the item by the user or sender of the item, without the needfor a distribution network to physically the payment indicia on theitem. In some embodiments, the identifier is a unique identifier chosenby a user or by the distribution network upon request of the user, whichis received by the distribution network, stored in a memory andassociated with a user and/or a user's payment method. When the item isreceived into the distribution network, the distribution network canidentify the unique identifier, associate it with a user's payment orpayment account, and process the distribution item based on the payment.

As will be understood herein, the term user may refer to a person, suchas an individual, a corporation, an organization, a computer system ornetwork adapted to interact with the system 100, or any other desiredentity capable of interfacing with the system 100. Also as describedherein, unique identifiers may be computer readable codes, text strings,images, icons, logos, and the like. For ease of discussion, the termunique identifier can refer to an actual computer readable code, such asa barcode or QR code, and may also refer to information encoded withinthe unique identifier, and/or information decoded or extracted from thecomputer readable unique identifier. Additionally, when describing animage of the unique identifier, such as when transmitting an image of aunique identifier, such as a text string, image, icon, or logo, thepresent application contemplates both the sending of the actualelectronic image, sending a copy of the electronic image, sending dataindicative of the image, or sending data in any other form whichcommunicates the contents or features of the image of the uniqueidentifier. That is, the concept of transmitting an image of a uniqueidentifier does not necessarily mean that the actual image, or that eachpixel of the image, is transmitted, but may also mean that informationor data equivalent, corresponding to, or derived from the image(referred to herein as image data) is transmitted.

The present disclosure describes systems and methods for using a uniqueidentifier on an item to provide payment information and iteminformation to the distribution network. The United States PostalService is an exemplary embodiment of a distribution network describedherein, although the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Toillustrate, a user may desire to send an item using the postal service,or any other distribution network. The user may not have stamps orpostage, and either may not desire to or is unable to purchase stamps orpostage, or to physically travel to a location to buy stamps, postage,or another indicia of payment for a distribution network. As will bedescribed in greater detail below, the present disclosure describes asystem and method whereby the user may use a user interface, such as anapplication on a mobile computing device, or on a computer accessibleinterface, to provide the Postal Service with information regarding theitem and to provide payment information for the item. For example, theuser may hand write any sequence of letters and/or numbers of apredetermined length on the item to be mailed. The user may then capturean image of the sequence of letters and/or numbers on the item using amobile computing device or computer accessible interface. The image istransmitted via a wired or wireless network, including a cellularnetwork, and is transmitted to the Postal Service. The Postal Servicecan analyze the transmitted sequence of letters and/or numbers todetermine the sequence, which the Postal Service stores in a memory. Theuser can then provide payment, either via a credit card or using sometrusted third party payment system, for postage. The Postal Servicestores the payment information and associates the payment informationwith the sequence of letters and/or numbers on the item. After the itemis received into the Postal Service distribution network, such asthrough a mailbox or drop-off location, the postal service can scan theitem on mail processing equipment, interpret the sequence of numbersand/or letters, and determine whether postage has been paid for theitem. The foregoing description is exemplary only, and is not intendedto limit the scope of the present disclosure thereto. This and otherexemplary embodiments will be described in greater detail below.

FIG. 1 depicts a system 100 for processing items in a distributionnetwork. The system 100 comprises a central unit 110, a memory 120, auser interface 130, a payment system 140, a distribution system 150, andan output module 160. The central unit 110 is in communication, eitherwired or wirelessly, with at least the memory 120, the user interface130, and the payment system 140. The central unit 110 may be incommunication with the distribution system 150, the payment system 140,and the output module 160. In some embodiments, the system 100 maycomprise a part of the larger distribution system 150. In someembodiments, the output module 160 may also be in communication with thedistribution system 150. The distribution system 150 may comprise adistribution network facility having a processing apparatus, such asmail processing equipment, configured to scan or read unique identifierslocated on items received into the distribution network facility. Insome embodiments, the distribution system 150 may be a computer, aprocessor, or other similar device in communication with one or moreprocessing apparatuses at distribution network facilities.

The central unit 110 may comprise or be a component of a processingsystem implemented with one or more processors. The central unit 110 maybe a network of interconnected processors housed in one or moreterminals. The one or more processors may be implemented with anycombination of general-purpose microprocessors, microcontrollers,digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate array (FPGAs),programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gatedlogic, discrete hardware components, dedicated hardware finite statemachines, or any other suitable entities that may perform calculationsor other manipulations of information. The central unit 110 may comprisea processor 115 such as, for example, a microprocessor, such as aPentium® processor, a Pentium® Pro processor, a 8051 processor, a MIPS®processor, a Power PC® processor, an Alpha® processor, amicrocontroller, or the like. The processor 115 typically hasconventional address lines, conventional data lines, and one or moreconventional control lines. The central unit 110 is in communicationwith a memory 120, which may include, for example, RAM memory, flashmemory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, aremovable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known inthe art. The memory 120 may include, for example, software, at least onesoftware module, instructions, steps of an algorithm, or any otherinformation. In some embodiments, the processor 115 performs processesin accordance with instruction stored in the memory 120. These processesmay include, for example, controlling features and/or components of thesystem 100, and controlling access to and from, and transmittinginformation and data to and from the central unit 110 and theconstituent components of the system 100, as will be described herein.The central unit 110 is configured to coordinate and direct theactivities of the components of the system 100.

The central unit 110 is configured to generate or receive a uniqueidentifier for each item identified by a user via the user interface130. This process will be described in greater detail below.

The central unit 110 is further configured to request and/or receiveitem information, such as item size, weight, type, volume, dimensions,contents, destination, recipient, or any other desired informationrelating to the item. The central unit 110 may provide some or all ofthe item information to the payment system 140 in order for the paymentsystem to determine the amount of payment, such as postage or fees,required in order to process the item. The payment system 140 caninclude a processor and a memory in addition to processor 115 and memory120 the central unit 110. The central unit 110 is further configured tointerface with the payment system 140 to effect payment for the item.The central unit 110 may request from the user a payment or paymentinformation via the user interface 120. The central unit 110 mayaccomplish this by receiving a credit card payment, or access to atrusted third party payment processor 145, which process will bedescribed in greater detail below. Upon receipt of the payment orpayment account information, the payment system 140 or the central unit110 may generate payment information, and may store the paymentinformation to the memory 120.

The central unit 110 is also configured to associate payment informationwith the unique identifier for the item for which payment was requestedor made. This association is stored in the memory 120, and is accessibleby the payment system 140, the central unit 110, and/or the distributionsystem 150.

In some embodiments, the processor 115 is connected to a communicationfeature 117. The communication feature 117 is configured for wired,and/or wireless communication. In some embodiments, the communicationfeature 117 communicates via telephone, cable, fiber-optic, or any otherwired communication network. In some embodiments, the communicationfeature 117 may communicate via cellular networks, WLAN networks, or anyother wireless network. The communication feature 117 is configured toreceive instructions and to transmit and receive information amongcomponents of the system 100, and in some embodiments, with otherresources outside system 100, as desired.

The memory 120 is configured to store information relating to users ofthe system 100, items, and unique identifiers generated by or providedto the system. The memory 120 may store payment information or paymentaccount information associated with users of the system 100. The centralunit 110 may provide the payment information for an item to the paymentsystem 140 and/or the distribution network. The memory 120 may comprisea database, a comma delimited file, a text file, or the like. The memory120 may be part of the same computer or network which comprises thecentral unit 110. In some embodiments, the memory 120 may be external tothe central unit 110.

The user interface 130 is configured to provide user access to thesystem 100. The user interface 130 may be provided via a website orinternet portal accessible from an internet-enabled computer or mobilecomputing device such as a smartphone or tablet computer, or on adedicated terminal. In some embodiments, the user interface 130 can beprovided as an application configured for use on a smartphone, tabletcomputer, or other mobile computing device.

The user interface 130 provides a user with options to log in to thesystem 100 using user-specific credentials, which may have beenpreviously established with the distribution network or the system 100.The user interface 130 also provides a user the ability to register foran account and provide credentials to the user for accessing the system100. The user interface 130 is further configured to request and receiveitem information, unique identifier information, and any other desiredinformation. The user interface 130 communicates the receivedinformation to the central unit 110, which then stores the receivedinformation in the memory 120. The user interface 130 also providesinstructions and information from the central unit 110 to a user, andcommunicates requests for payment for the item based on the paymentdetermined by the payment system 140. The user interface 130 also isconfigured receive a payment or payment account information from theuser. The user interface 130 can provide a user access to a user'saccount information and preferences stored in the memory 120 orelsewhere. A user can update the user's settings, preferences, uniqueidentifier, payment account information, and the like via the userinterface 130.

The user interface 130 is in communication with an input module 135. Theinput module 135 may be part of the hardware on which the user interface130 is provided or running, and can include a camera, a barcode scanner,a QR code reader, a keyboard, stylus, mouse, or other input device. Insome embodiments, the input module 135 may comprise more than one of theabove input devices. In some embodiments, the user interface 130 isprovided on a user's smartphone running an application which performsthe function of the user interface 130. In this case, the input module135 can be a camera on the user's smart phone, when the smart phone isrunning the user interface 130 application. A user can use the inputmodule 135 to provide item information, unique identifier information,payment information, and any other requested or desired information tothe user interface 130. This process will be described in greater detailbelow.

Input and output information provided via the user interface 130 may becustomizable for or by a particular user, such that the user interface130 provides information and reports regarding items associated with theuser's account in the distribution network, such as a list of payments,a list of unique identifiers, a list of items, and the like. In someembodiments, the user interface 130 may be customizable for a particularsuch that a user may develop a personalized or custom user interface 130which provides functionality specific for the user.

The user interface 130 can be configured to receive a payment from auser, and provide payment information to the payment system 140 via thecentral unit 110. This information may include whether a fee or payment,such as postage, for pick-up and/or delivery of the item has been paid,or whether the user has established debit account, or has agreed toother billing or payment arrangements.

The payment system 140 is in communication with a third party paymentprocessor 145. The payment system 140 is also in communication with thedistribution system 150. The payment system 140 is configured tocalculate a fee or payment required for processing an item within thedistribution network. As described above, the payment system 140 canrequest item information, such as an item's size, weight, contents,destination, and the like, and use the item information to calculate afee or payment required. The payment system 140 communicates the fee dueto the user interface 130 via the central unit 110.

The payment system 140 is configured to receive the payment informationfrom the user interface, which may be in the form of a credit cardpayment, or a debit from an account set up with the distribution networkassociated with or belonging to the user. The payment system 140communicates with the third party payment processor 145 to receive thepayment according to the payment information provided by the user. Insome embodiments, the third party payment processor 145 may be a creditcard company, a bank, PayPal, Google Wallet, CAPS, BillMe Later, acellular service provider, or other similar payment processors. Toillustrate, a user registered with the system 100 may establish PayPalas a means for providing payment for the user's items to be processedand shipped by the distribution network. When a user logs in to thesystem 100 via the user interface 130, the user may tell the paymentsystem 140 to access the user's PayPal account to process payment for anitem to be shipped or sent. The user's PayPal account information may bestored in the memory 120. Alternately, the user interface 130 mayprovide access to PayPal services, or it may navigate the user to thePayPal website, or it may otherwise facilitate the PayPal transaction.The payment system 140 then receives the payment information fromPayPal, and communicates confirmation of payment to the central unit110. The central unit 110 associates the payment confirmation with theuser, and with the unique identifier for the item, and stores thepayment confirmation and associations in the memory 120.

When the item is physically received into the distribution network, thedistribution network can scan, read, or otherwise receive the uniqueidentifier. By storing the associations between the unique identifier,the payment information, and the user, the distribution system 150 can,upon scanning the unique identifier, access the payment information forthe item. For example, when the distribution system 150 receives theunique identifier, the distribution system 150 may query the paymentsystem 140 or the central unit 110 to request payment informationassociated with the unique identifier. This query can include whetherappropriate payment has been received for the item bearing the uniqueidentifier, whether the user's account provides for later or batchbilling, and the like. If the payment system 140 of the central unit 110has payment information associated with the unique identifier on theitem, the payment system 140 or the central unit 110 communicates thisto the distribution system 150, and the distribution system 150processes the item for delivery. If no payment confirmation has beenreceived, the distribution system 150 may not process the item fordelivery. The distribution network may send a message to the userinterface 130 via the central unit 110, informing the user that nopayment for the item has been received.

The output module 160 may be in communication with the central unit 110.The output module 160 can be configured to generate physicalrepresentations of unique identifiers which have been generated by thecentral unit 110 or the user via the user interface 130. This processwill be described in greater detail below. In some embodiments, theoutput module 160 may be in communication with the user interface 130.In some embodiments, the output module 150 may be embodied in hardwarewhich comprises the user interface 130, such as a printer connected toan internet-enabled terminal through which the user can access thesystem 100.

The unique identifier can be used to identify an item received in thedistribution network. As described above, the unique identifier can begenerated by the user or by the central unit 110, and is stored in thememory 120. To illustrate, in some embodiments, a user may access theuser interface 130, and request an item be delivered via thedistribution system 150. The user interface 130, directed by the centralunit 110, provides options for assigning the unique identifier. The userinterface 130 may ask the user whether the user would like to generatethe unique identifier, or whether the user would like the system 100 togenerate and assign a unique identifier to the item. The uniqueidentifier described herein can be of several forms. In someembodiments, the unique identifier may be a computer readable code, suchas a QR code, a barcode, an alphanumeric string, a pictorialrepresentation, such as an icon, logo, photograph, or image, or anyother desired identifier. Where the user requests that a uniqueidentifier be assigned, such as a computer readable code, the centralunit 110 generates, for example, a QR code, and associates the code withthe user, and with any item information the user provides regarding theitem. Upon receipt of payment, the central unit 110 may output the QRcode to the output module 160, such as to a user's printer, or to amobile computing device as a downloadable file or graphicalrepresentation. The output module 160 may be collocated with the user,and may be in communication with the user interface 130, such that theuser may print the unique identifier provided by the central unit 110and affix it to the item.

FIG. 2A depicts an embodiment of an item 200 having a substrate 210 withunique identifier 220 affixed thereto. The item 200 also includesrecipient information 230 and sender information 240. Recipientinformation 230 and sender information 240 are depicted in FIGS. 2A and2B as rectangles, which indicating the areas of an item where arecipient identifier and a sender identifier, such as an address orother delivery point may be placed. By placing substrate 210 into theoutput module 160, such as a printer, a user can print the uniqueidentifier 220, which has been assigned by the control unit 110 directlyonto the substrate 220. The unique identifier 220 can then be associatedwith payment information by the central unit 110. When item 200 isreceived into the distribution system 150, the distribution system 150can scan the unique identifier 220 and determine whether appropriatepayment for the item 200 has been received. in some embodiments, theoutput module 160 can generate the unique identifier 220 on an adhesiveor other material which can then be placed on or affixed to the item200.

In some embodiments, the recipient information may comprise a virtualaddress, such as a vanity address or virtual post office box such asthose described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/179,442, filedJul. 8, 2011, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated byreference. In some embodiments, the virtual address may comprise anemail address. In some embodiments, the recipient information maycomprise a recipient's email address. In the case of virtual addresses,the memory 120 may comprise a database or relational table whichassociates virtual addresses and/or email addresses with physicaladdresses. The distribution system 150 may be configured to scan or readthe recipient information 230 in addition reading to the uniqueidentifier 220. Upon scanning or reading an email address as recipientinformation, the central unit 110 may query the memory 120 to determinewhether a physical address associated with the scanned email address ispresent. If a physical address is present, the distribution system 150can sort the item for delivery to the physical address associated withthe email address. In some embodiments, the distribution system 150, viathe output module 160, may print a label having the physical addressassociated with the email address printed or written thereon, and attachthe label to the substrate 210 over the top of, or adjacent to therecipient information 240.

In this way, a user may send an item to a recipient without knowing therecipient's physical location or address merely by knowing therecipient's email address or virtual address. The memory 120 may compilea database of email addresses associated with physical addresses fromindividuals who volunteer to provide their email address and physicaladdress, such as users of popular retail websites like Amazon.com®,eBay®, and others. Further, companies which provide email services mayprovide email addresses and corresponding physical addresses to thememory 120. In some embodiments, the provision of email addresses andcorresponding addresses may be effected on an opt-in basis, or mayrequire explicit permission of the owner of the email address.

In some embodiments, a user may purchase or create an item 200 with theunique identifier 220, such as a QR code, already printed or affixed tothe item 200, such as an envelope, greeting card, or postcard. The usermay access the user interface 130 and request to send the item 200through the distribution network. In response, the user interface 130requests that the user provide the unique identifier 220 via the inputmodule 135. The user can use input module 135 to scan, read, or capturethe computer readable code or QR code on the item 200. The userinterface 130 can then transmit the received computer readable code orQR code, as decoded information or as an image, to the central unit 110,wherein the computer readable code or QR code can be verified to beunique against other unique identifiers for other items which are in thememory 120 or which have been already assigned or associated with theitem 200 by the central unit 110.

In some embodiments, the distribution network may provide pre-printedunique identifiers 220 on envelopes, postcards, greeting cards, and thelike. The distribution network can thus ensure that duplicateidentifiers are not provided by users, and therefore, no two items willbe associated with the same unique identifier.

In some embodiments, a user can choose, via the user interface 130, togenerate the unique identifier. The user may not have access to aprinter, or may not desire to purchase a pre-printed envelope, postcard,or the like. In such a case, the user may generate a unique identifier220 and write, draw, apply, and/or affix the user-generated uniqueidentifier 220 to the substrate 210. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, theunique identifier 220 is an alphanumeric string selected by the user.The user may generate any desired alphanumeric string, such as a 9-digitstring, and hand write the alphanumeric string on the item 200. In someembodiments, the user may print a label having the alphanumeric stringthereon, and then affix the label to the substrate 210. As will bedescribed in greater detail below, the user can capture and send animage of the item 200 having the hand written or drawn unique identifier220 thereon, which can then be decoded, identified, or otherwiseprocessed by the distribution network as indicia for postage or payment.

The user can request that the system 100 provide the alphanumericstring. In this case, the central unit 110 generates a uniquealphanumeric string which is not already stored in the memory 120, andthe user interface 130 displays the generated string to the user. Theuser can then apply the generated string to the item.

Using the input module 135, the user can provide the unique identifier220 to the central unit 110. For example, where a user is accessing theuser interface on a camera-enabled smartphone or other mobile computingdevice, the user can take a picture or capture an image of the item 200having the unique identifier 220 thereon, and transmit the image to thecentral unit 110. The central unit 110 is configured to receive thepicture of the unique identifier 220, and is configured to performoptical character recognition (OCR) on the unique identifier to extract,for example, an alphanumeric string. The alphanumeric string can then bechecked against existing unique identifiers in stored in the memory 120to ensure unique identifiers 220 are not duplicated on separate items.

Although FIGS. 2A and 2B depict embodiments which include the uniqueidentifier 220, the recipient information 230, and sender information240 placed in the locations traditionally found on envelopes used in thepostal system, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limitedthereto. For example, the unique identifier 220 may be located in anydesired location on the item, such as in the upper left corner, thecenter, along one edge, or on the reverse of the item (not shown).Furthermore, although traditional envelopes/letters are depicted, aperson of skill in the art will understand this disclosure is notlimited thereto. For example, the unique identifier 210 substrate may bea box, such as for a parcel, a postcard, a periodical, newspaper, flat,a piece of inventory in a warehouse, a suitcase in a baggage processingsystem, or any other desired item in any type of distribution network.

In some embodiments, the user may upload an image of the uniqueidentifier, wherein the central unit 110 stores the image in memory, orstores data indicative of the image in memory. In this way, thehandwriting of the user on the substrate 210 may comprise a feature ofthe unique identifier. The central unit 110 can be configured torecognize handwriting, or distinguish the same alphanumeric string ofcharacters from another based on the unique handwriting of a specificuser. If an item is received into the distribution system 150 having thesame character string as another unique identifier 220, the central unit110 can compare the images or the data indicative of the images todifferentiate the identifiers. In some embodiments, the uniqueidentifier need not comprise an alphanumeric string, but may be apicture, an image, a doodle, drawing, photo, or other desired identifierplaced on the substrate by the user, which is then uploaded to thecentral unit 110.

As will be described in greater detail below, the user interface 130transmits a prompt to a user for payment of postage or a fee for theitem 200 identified by the unique identifier 220, and transmitsinformation received from the use to the central unit 110. The centralunit 110 associates a payment status, or payment confirmation with theunique identifier 220 and the user and stores the association in thememory. The association of the unique identifier 220 and the paymentconfirmation indicates to the distribution network that postage orpayment has been made for an item received bearing the unique identifier220, and that the item 200 should be processed.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting a process for assigning a uniqueidentifier for an item. Process 300 begins in step 302, wherein the userinterface 130 receives a request to access the system 100. The requestmay come from a user using an internet enabled computer terminal, aninternet browser, or an application on a smartphone or tablet computerproviding the user interface 130. A person of skill in the art willunderstand that these access points are exemplary only, and the scope ofthe disclosure is not limited thereto. The request may be in the form ofa user providing login credentials or otherwise attempting to login tothe system 100.

Upon receipt of the credentials, the process 300 moves to decision state304, wherein it is determined whether the user requesting access isauthorized. The central unit 110 may receive the login credentials fromthe user interface 130, and query the memory 120 for correspondingcredentials. If no corresponding user or account is found in the memory120, the process 300 returns to step 302, wherein login credentials canbe reentered.

If a user or account is found having corresponding credentials stored inthe memory 120, the process 300 moves to step 306 wherein access isprovided to the system 100 via the user interface.

Upon providing access in step 306, the process 300 moves to step 308,wherein a unique identifier is requested. The central unit 110 canrequest that the user provide the unique identifier, and input theunique identifier using the input module 135.

in step 308, as described above, the user generates an alphanumericstring, an image, a logo, or an icon and draws, writes, or prints theunique identifier on the item. In some embodiments, the user accessesthe user's account to obtain a previously stored icon, image, logo, orthe like. The user can output the stored icon, image, or logo, which isassociated with the user and the user's payment account, and print theicon, image, or logo directly onto an item to be shipped. In someembodiments, the output module 160 prints the icon, image, or logo,which can then be placed on or affixed to the item.

For example, a company using the distribution network to send items mayregister for an account with the distribution network. The company, asthe user, can identify the company's logo, or other desired pictorialrepresentation as an indicia for payment, and store this informationwith the central network. When an item is to be sent, the user accessesthe system 100, produces the logo as indicia for payment, and places thelogo on the item as described elsewhere herein.

In some embodiments, the central unit 110 may generate the uniqueidentifier and display or transmit the unique identifier to the userinterface 130 and ultimately to the user, from which the user can printor hand write the unique identifier on the item.

Upon requesting the unique identifier, the process 300 moves to step310, wherein the central unit 110 receives the unique identifier via theuser interface 130. For example, the user interface 130 can obtain animage of the unique identifier written on or affixed to the itemcaptured using the user interface 135. In some embodiments, the inputmodule 135 provides data indicative of the image of the uniqueidentifier without providing the actual image to the user interface 130.For example, a user uses a smartphone running the user interfaceapplication to capture an image of the item having the unique identifierthereon. The smartphone transmits this image, or data indicative of theimage, to the central unit 110. In some embodiments, if the input module135, or the user interface 130, captures an image of the uniqueidentifier, the user interface 130 may interprets, analyzes, or encodesthe image, the user interface 130 may transmit data indicative of theimage of the unique identifier to the central unit 110 instead of, or inaddition to transmitting the image of the unique identifier.

In embodiments where the central unit 110 generates the uniqueidentifier, step 310 may not be performed.

Upon receiving unique identifier, the process 300 moves to step 312,wherein the unique identifier is analyzed. For example, if the uniqueidentifier is a string of alphanumeric characters and is transmitted asa captured image from the input module 135, the central unit 110 mayperform OCR or other image analysis to determine the string ofalphanumeric characters written or printed on the item. As describedabove, the central unit 110 may perform image analysis to analyzehandwriting on the received image of the unique identifier. In someembodiments, where the unique identifier is pictorial, the image may bestored to facilitate image comparison or recognition. In someembodiments, where the unique identifier is a computer readable code,such as a QR code, the central unit 110 may decode the computer readablecode.

The process 300 next moves to decision state 314, wherein it isdetermined if the unique identifier is a duplicate of another uniqueidentifier already stored in the memory 120 and associated with anotheritem. The central unit 110 queries the memory 120 and compares thereceived unique identifier, the OCR'd alphanumeric string, the decodedcomputer readable code, and/or the analyzed image with existing uniqueidentifiers associated with other items stored in the memory 120 todetermine if the unique identifier is a duplicate. If the receivedunique identifier is a duplicate, the central unit 110 generates amessage that the unique identifier is a duplicate, and the process 300returns to step 308, wherein another unique identifier is requested. Insome embodiments, the central unit 110 determines an item is a duplicateonly when the unique identifier is duplicative of a unique identifierprovided by another user. That is, a single user may use or re-use aunique identifier for more than one item without it being identified asa duplicate.

If the received unique identifier is not a duplicate, the process 300moves to step 316, wherein the received unique identifier, the OCR'dalphanumeric string, the analyzed image, the decoded computer readablecode, or the data indicative of the image of the unique identifier(depending on how the unique identifier was received) is stored in thememory 120, and is associated with the user. In some embodiments, thecentral unit 110 may create a record associated with the uniqueidentifier in the memory 120, such as in a database.

The process next moves to step 318 wherein the user interface 130requests item information. The item information requested may includethe size, weight, volume, dimensions, monetary value, description,contents, classification, or any other desired information regarding theitem on which the unique identifier is affixed or is to be affixed. Insome embodiments, the central unit 110 may request an image of theentire item, or several views of the same item, if the item is a parcelor irregularly shaped item captured by the input module 135. In someembodiments, the image captured of the item showing the uniqueidentifier may be used as the image for the item information.

The process next moves to step 320, wherein item information is receivedvia the user interface 130. The central unit 110 transmits the iteminformation to the payment system 140, wherein the payment systemanalyzes the item information and generates a required payment, fee, orpostage for the item. For example, the payment system 140 may includelook-up tables for various factors such as dimensions, weight,destination, class of service, whether insurance is desired, and thelike, from which a payment amount is generated.

In some embodiments, the item information can be determined from thetransmitted image of the item with the unique identifier. In someembodiments, the central unit 110 may request and/or receive one or moreimages of the item taken from different angles, and transmit the one ormore images to the payment system 140. The payment system 140 mayanalyze the images to determine the dimensions of an item, or an itemclassification, such as letter, parcel, flat, bulk, etc. In someembodiments, the item may have identifying features on the item or thepackaging which indicate a particular class of service or dimensions ofthe item (such as a standard size box, or a first class mail indicator).The payment system can analyze images of the item in order to generate apayment or postage amount.

In some embodiments, the item information may include sender informationand recipient/destination information. For example, the user may providesender information, and the recipient/destination information via theuser interface. The central unit 110 stores the sender andrecipient/destination information and associates the sender andrecipient/destination information with the unique identifier. In thisway, when the physical item having the unique identifier thereon isreceived into the distribution system 150, the distribution system 150scans or reads the unique identifier and can determine the intendedrecipient/destination and the sender. In this way, the unique identifiermay be the only information physically displayed on the item such thatrecipient information, e.g., an address, need not be displayed on theitem. When the item having only the unique identifier physicallydisplayed is received in the distribution network, the processingequipment, such as mail processing equipment, can read and/or decode theunique identifier. The processing equipment can look up in the memory120 information received via the user interface and determine therecipient and the sender, and route or process the item accordingly.

The process 300 moves to block 322, wherein the user interface 130requests payment for the item. The payment system 140 generates paymentinformation for each item. In some embodiments, the user interface 130displays the amount of payment generated from the payment system 140,and provides options for payment. In some embodiments, the payment maybe received as a credit card payment. In this case, the paymentinformation can comprise a payment confirmation. In some embodiments,the user interface 130 may provide access to or navigate a user to athird party payment provider such as PayPal, Google Wallet, or othersimilar payment system. Upon receipt of payment from the user interface130, the payment information is transmitted to the payment system 140.The payment system 140 may access the third party payment processor 145,such as the credit card company, PayPal, and the like to receive paymentinformation including a payment confirmation.

In some embodiments, the payment information may include user specificinstructions or payment preferences. A user may establish preferences orinstructions in the user's account which describe how payment should behandled for the user's items. For example, a user may have established adebit account or a payment account with the distribution network, suchthat the payment system 140 adds a debit to a user's account uponreceiving the unique identifier and the item information. A user mayestablish a payment account which charges the user in monthly intervalsbased on the number of items shipped in a month rather than requiring apayment confirmation for each item. In this case, the payment system 140need not receive a payment for each item. In some embodiments, thepayment system 140 generates payment information which instructs thedistribution system 150 to charge the user only when the physical itemis received into the distribution system 150, and/or to send a bill tothe user based on items received. In some embodiments, a user mayindicate that a particular item is to be delivered and payment is to beobtained from the recipient.

Upon receiving the payment information, the process 300 moves todecision state 324, wherein it is determined whether the paymentinformation, and any associated payment from the third party paymentprocessor 145 is sufficient for the item. If payment is not sufficient,such as, for example, if the PayPal account lacks sufficient funds, orthe credit card is declined, the process 300 returns to step 322, andadditional or alternate payment is requested. If payment is sufficientfor the item, the process moves to step 326, wherein the paymentinformation is associated with the unique identifier stored in thememory 120 for the item. The process 300 then ends in block 328. In somecases, such as when payment is to be charged when the item is received,or if the payment is to be debited against a customer or user account,this step need not be performed.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a process for processing an item havinga pre-printed or pre-determined unique identifier. A distributionnetwork may pre-print or otherwise affix unique identifiers to items,such as envelopes, postcards, and the like and process the uniqueidentifiers according to process 400.

Process 400 begins in step 402 wherein the distribution networkgenerates a unique identifier. The unique identifier may be generated bythe distribution system 150, or by the central unit 110. The centralunit 110 stores the unique identifier, or the information encoded withinthe unique identifier, or both, in the memory 120. For example, adistribution network, such as a Postal Service, may generate a QR codeand print the QR code on a box intended for shipment of an item therein.In some embodiments, the QR code may encode information about theenvelope, container, package, box, or item to which it is attached oraffixed. In some embodiments, the unique identifier may be any desiredtype of computer readable code. In some embodiments, the uniqueidentifier may further encode information relating to the item. Forexample, the QR code may encode information indicative of an augmentedreality application or presentation, or may encode instructions fornavigating a browser to a specific internet location or website whichprovides, for example, further information regarding the item,promotions, such as coupons or discounts, surveys, social networkinglinks, or any other desired content. In some embodiments, the uniqueidentifier In this way, the recipient of the item having the uniqueidentifier can scan the unique identifier on a smartphone, and seeaugmented reality content, or any other desired content.

In some embodiments, when the recipient scans the unique identifierusing the user interface 130, such as an application on a smartphone,the instance of the scan of the unique identifier by the recipient canbe recorded by the central unit 110 and stored in the memory 120, forexample, in the account of the user who generated the unique identifieror the item. In this way, the unique identifier may also be used fortracking purposes, and users can know whether recipients scanned theunique identifiers, and assess the effectiveness of the sent items orthe additional content associated with the items.

Process 400 next moves to step 404, wherein the unique identifier isprovided to the item, such as to the envelope, postcard, box, or thelike. The unique identifier may be output to an item via the outputmodule 160, for example, by printing the unique identifier ontoenvelopes, postcards, boxes, or other similar containers which can beused to ship items within a distribution network. Upon placement of theunique identifier on the item, the item having the unique identifier maybe provided to users, such as by being sold to users, shippers, or anyentity which may desire to send or ship an item. In some embodiments, aplurality of unique identifiers are generated and provided to aplurality of items.

Process 400 next moves to step 406, wherein the system 100 providesaccess to a user via a user interface 130 as described elsewhere herein.A user logs to the user interface 130 using a unique set of credentialswhich identify the user and the user's account to the system 100.

Process 400 moves to step 408 wherein the user interface 130 requeststhat the user provide the pre-printed or pre-set unique identifier. Instep 410, the user interface 130 receives the unique identifier via theinput module 135. In some embodiments, this is accomplished by, forexample, the user interface 130 requesting that the user provide animage via the user interface 130. The user may take a picture of theunique identifier on the item with a smartphone on which the userinterface 130 is provided as an application. The user interface 130receives the image of the unique identifier and transmits the image orcorresponding image data to the central unit 110.

Upon receiving the unique identifier, the process 400 moves to step 412wherein the unique identifier is decoded or analyzed. The analysisand/or decoding may be performed by the central unit 110. In someembodiments, the analysis and/or decoding may take place on thecomputer, smartphone, or processor which is running or providing theuser interface 130. For example, a user's smartphone running a userinterface application may analyze or decode the unique identifier fromthe image of the unique identifier received via the input module 135. Insome embodiments, the central unit 110 may receive the image or imagedata of the unique identifier and use OCR techniques, or other analysistechniques to interpret or decode the unique identifier.

Upon decoding the unique identifier, the process 400 moves to decisionstate 414, wherein the central unit 110 determines whether the uniqueidentifier is recognized or valid. This can be accomplished by comparingthe unique identifier and/or the information encoded within the uniqueidentifier with the unique identifiers and/or associated informationwhich were stored in the memory 120 at or near the time of generatingthe unique identifiers in step 402. The central unit 110 may query thememory 120 for a match to the unique identifier. If no correspondingunique identifier is identified, the process 400 returns to step 408,wherein a valid or recognizable unique identifier is requested. This maysignify that the user is providing a unique identifier that was notgenerated by the distribution network, or that cannot be used for anitem in the distribution network.

If a corresponding or matching unique identifier is found in the memory120, the process moves to decision state 416 wherein it is determinedwhether the recognized unique identifier has been previously used or isa duplicate of an identifier already associated with an item in thedistribution network. The central unit 110 compares the received uniqueidentifier with the unique identifiers which are associated with items,or which have already been received into the system 100, such as byanother user. If the received unique identifier is already in use, theprocess returns to step 408, wherein another unique identifier isrequested.

If the unique identifier is not a duplicate, or is not already in use,the process 400 moves to step 418, wherein the user interface 130 and/orthe central unit 110 requests item information as described with regardto FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the unique identifier may haveinformation stored regarding the item. For example, if the uniqueidentifier is on a postcard, the unique identifier may encode that theitem is a postcard, and the central unit 110 can extract thisinformation and store this item information in the memory 120. In someembodiments, as described above, the unique identifier may be affixed toa shipping container, such as a box. The dimensions of the box and/or aclass of service can be encoded into the unique identifier. Thus, whenthe central unit 110 receives the unique identifier, the central unit110 can identify item information, associate the item information withthe unique identifier, the item, and the user, and store theseassociations. Where the unique identifier encodes item information, theuser interface 130 may request only specific item information which isnot encoded in the unique identifier, or it may not request any iteminformation, in which case, step 418 need not be performed.

Upon receiving the item information, the process moves to step 420,wherein payment information is requested as described elsewhere herein.Specifically, payment information may be requested in step 420 similarto step 322 of process 300. Process 400 moves to decision state 422, inwhich the sufficiency of payment is determined similar to decision state324 described in process 300.

Upon determining that payment is sufficient in step 422, process 400moves to step 424, wherein payment information or confirmation isassociated with the unique identifier, the item information, and theuser. The process then ends in step 426.

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of a process for receiving an item into adistribution network. Process 500 begins in step 502, wherein an item isreceived in a distribution network. In some embodiments, a physical itemhaving a unique identifier thereon is received into a distributionnetwork facility, such as a warehouse, handling facility, receivingfacility, mailbox, sorting facility, and the like.

Upon receipt of the item, process 500 moves to step 504, wherein theunique identifier on the item is scanned or read. The unique identifiercan be scanned or read as the item is placed into a processing orsorting apparatus having scanning capability. In some embodiments, theprocessing apparatus has the capability to process, scan, and sort itemsfor delivery or sending, such as at a postal service facility. Theprocessing apparatus includes a scanner, such as a QR code reader, abarcode scanner, and/or an optical imager. In some embodiments, wherethe unique identifier on the item is a QR code, the processing apparatusscans the QR code unique identifier on the item. In some embodiments,the scanner may directly read the QR code, or the scanner may capture animage of the QR code for later processing, analysis, and/or decoding. Insome embodiments, where the unique identifier is an alphanumeric string,the scanner may capture an image of the alphanumeric string. In someembodiments, the scanned, read, or image captured of the uniqueidentifier is transmitted to the central unit 110 for analysis. In someembodiments, the distribution system 150 may analyze the uniqueidentifier. In some embodiments, where the unique identifier is aphotograph, drawing, logo, icon, or pictorial representation, the imagecan be captured via an optical scanner and processed.

Upon reading or scanning the unique identifier, the process 500 moves tostep 506, wherein the unique identifier is analyzed. In someembodiments, where the unique identifier is a QR code, the distributionsystem 150, or the central unit 110 decodes the QR code and determinesthe information associated with the QR code. Where the unique identifieris an alphanumeric string, the distribution system 150 or the centralunit 110 receives the captured image and performs OCR or other similaranalysis on the image to determine the alphanumeric string printed on oraffixed to the item. Upon OCR of the unique identifier, the processingapparatus at the distribution network can extract the alphanumericstring from the image. Where the unique identifier is a logo,photograph, icon, drawing, or other pictorial representation, thedistribution system 150 or the central unit 110 receives the capturedimage and analyzes the image, and/or stores the image for latercomparison with a pictorial representation on a received item.

The process 500 next moves to decision state 508, wherein it isdetermined whether the unique identifier is recognized. The central unit110 receives the information encoded from the unique identifier, or thealphanumeric string, and/or other information associated with the uniqueidentifier. The central unit 110 queries the memory 120 to determinewhether a matching or corresponding unique identifier is stored in thememory 120, or to determine whether a record storing the uniqueidentifier exists in the memory 120. As described above, a uniqueidentifier, or information associated with the unique identifier, isstored in memory when a user scans or otherwise inputs the uniqueidentifier into the input module 135.

If no corresponding entry, record, or unique identifier is stored in thememory 120, the process 500 moves to step 510, wherein the item is heldin the distribution system 150. In holding the item, the distributionnetwork may reroute the item, return the item to the sender, flag theitem, dispose of the item, or require further action be taken prior tocontinuing processing, depending on instructions associated with thehandling of the item. In holding the item, the distribution network maycontact the sender via a user interface and request payment of postageor other fees to ship or send the item.

If a corresponding entry, record, or unique identifier is stored in thememory 120, the process 500 moves to decision state 512, wherein it isdetermined if the unique identifier is associated with paymentinformation, such as a payment confirmation. As described above, aunique identifier will be associated with payment information uponreceiving a payment in the payment system 140, such as from a thirdparty payment processor 145 for the item having the unique identifierthereon. If no payment information is associated with the scanned orread unique identifier, the process 500 moves to step 510, wherein theitem is held as described above.

If payment information is associated with the scanned or read uniqueidentifier, which indicates that the user has previously providedpayment, postage, or a fee for processing the item, process 500 moves tostep 514, wherein the item is processed for delivery in the distributionsystem 150. This can include moving the item to a location correspondingwith a particular mail stream, or to a location in the mail processingequipment downstream of the item scanner. From here, the item can bedelivered, shipped, or sent to the intended recipient or location.Process 500 then ends in step 516.

It is to be recognized that depending on the embodiment, certain acts orevents of any of the methods described herein can be performed in adifferent sequence, may be added, merged, or left out altogether. Notall described acts or events are necessary for the practice of themethod. Moreover, in certain embodiments, acts or events may beperformed concurrently, for example, through multi-threaded processing,interrupt processing, or multiple processors, rather than sequentially.

Although above steps of the above processes have been described aparticular order, the steps are not limited to performance in the orderindicated. It will be understood by a person of skill in the art, guidedby the teachings herein, that the steps of the processes describedherein may be performed in one or more orders, as desired. A person ofskill in the art will further recognize than the above-outlined stepscan be performed in any desired order, and can include sub-steps orsub-processes.

Those of skill will recognize that the various illustrative logicalblocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connectionwith the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronichardware, software stored on a computer readable medium and executableby a processor, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate thisinterchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrativecomponents, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been describedabove generally in terms of their functionality. Whether suchfunctionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon theparticular application and design constraints imposed on the overallsystem. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality invarying ways for each particular application, but such implementationdecisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from thescope of the present invention.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits describedin connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implementedor performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signalprocessor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device,discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or anycombination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein.A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in thealternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with theembodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in asoftware module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two.A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory,EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, aCD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Anexemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processorreads information from, and write information to, the storage medium. Inthe alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor.The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointedout novel features of the development as applied to various embodiments,it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changesin the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of thedevelopment. As will be recognized, the present development may beembodied within a form that does not provide all of the features andbenefits set forth herein, as some features may be used or practicedseparately from others. All changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope.

A person skilled in the art will recognize that each of thesesub-systems may be inter-connected and controllably connected using avariety of techniques and hardware and that the present disclosure isnot limited to any specific method of connection or connection hardware.

The technology is operational with numerous other general purpose orspecial purpose computing system environments or configurations.Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/orconfigurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include,but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-heldor laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems,a microcontroller or microcontroller based system, programmable consumerelectronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers,distributed computing environments that include any of the above systemsor devices, and the like.

As used herein, instructions refer to computer-implemented steps forprocessing information in the system. Instructions may be implemented insoftware, firmware or hardware and include any type of programmed stepundertaken by components of the system.

A microprocessor may be any conventional general purpose single- ormulti-chip microprocessor such as a Pentium® processor, a Pentium® Proprocessor, a 8051 processor, a MIPS® processor, a Power PC® processor,or an Alpha® processor. In addition, the microprocessor may be anyconventional special purpose microprocessor such as a digital signalprocessor or a graphics processor. The microprocessor typically hasconventional address lines, conventional data lines, and one or moreconventional control lines.

The system may be used in connection with various operating systems suchas Linux®, UNIX®, MacOS® or Microsoft Windows®.

The system control may be written in any conventional programminglanguage such as C, C++, BASIC, Pascal, .NET (e.g., C#), or Java, andran under a conventional operating system. C, C++, BASIC, Pascal, Java,and FORTRAN are industry standard programming languages for which manycommercial compilers may be used to create executable code. The systemcontrol may also be written using interpreted languages such as Perl,Python or Ruby. Other languages may also be used such as PHP,JavaScript, and the like.

The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the systems,devices, and methods disclosed herein. It will be appreciated, however,that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the systems,devices, and methods may be practiced in many ways. As is also statedabove, it should be noted that the use of particular terminology whendescribing certain features or aspects of the invention should not betaken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to berestricted to including any specific characteristics of the features oraspects of the technology with which that terminology is associated.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof the described technology. Such modifications and changes are intendedto fall within the scope of the embodiments. It will also be appreciatedby those of skill in the art that parts included in one embodiment areinterchangeable with other embodiments; one or more parts from adepicted embodiment may be included with other depicted embodiments inany combination. For example, any of the various components describedherein and/or depicted in the Figures may be combined, interchanged orexcluded from other embodiments.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art may translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood toinclude the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety. To the extent publications and patents or patentapplications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosurecontained in the specification, the specification is intended tosupersede and/or take precedence over any such contradictory material.

The term “comprising” as used herein is synonymous with “including,”“containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended anddoes not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

All numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions,and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understoodas being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly,unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth inthe specification and attached claims are approximations that may varydepending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by thepresent invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit theapplication of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims,each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number ofsignificant digits and ordinary rounding approaches.

The above description discloses several methods and materials of thepresent development. This development is susceptible to modifications inthe methods and materials, as well as alterations in the fabricationmethods and equipment. Such modifications will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art from a consideration of this disclosure or practiceof the development disclosed herein. Consequently, it is not intendedthat this development be limited to the specific embodiments disclosedherein, but that it cover all modifications and alternatives comingwithin the true scope and spirit of the development as embodied in theattached claims.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointedout novel features of the improvements as applied to variousembodiments, it will be understood that various omissions,substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the device orprocess illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. As will be recognized, thepresent invention may be embodied within a form that does not provideall of the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features maybe used or practiced separately from others. The scope of the inventionis indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of inducting a mailpiece into amailpiece distribution network and identifying and processing postagecomprising: receiving, via a user operated interface device, an image ofa mailpiece having a unique identifier thereon, the unique identifierhaving been designed by the user and handwritten on the item by theuser; processing the image to generate unique identifier information;storing the unique identifier information in a memory; associating thestored unique identifier information with a payment account of the user;receiving the mailpiece in a distribution network, the mailpiece havingthe unique identifier thereon; processing the mailpiece on mailpieceprocessing equipment comprising a scanning device to generate an imageof the unique identifier; processing the image of the unique identifierto generate read unique identifier information; querying, by aprocessor, the memory for the stored unique identifier informationdetermining, by a processor, whether the read unique identifierinformation corresponds to the stored unique identifier information;debiting the payment account of the user based on the determination;generating postage information in response to correspondence between theread unique identifier and the stored unique identifier; and causing themailpiece processing equipment to move the mailpiece into one of aplurality of locations in response to the postage information.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: receiving, by a processor,mailpiece information relating to the mailpiece; storing, in a memory,the mailpiece information; associating, in a memory, the uniqueidentifier with the mailpiece information; generating paymentinformation for the mailpiece; and associating, in a memory, the paymentinformation with the unique identifier.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the unique identifier comprises an alphanumeric string ofcharacters.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the image of themailpiece comprises receiving a captured image of the mailpiece havingthe unique identifier therein.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein theunique identifier is a computer readable code.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein querying the memory comprises querying the memory for paymentinformation associated with the unique identifier, and wherein causingthe mailpiece processing equipment to move the mailpiece comprisesprocessing the mailpiece based on payment information associated withthe unique identifier.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the uniqueidentifier includes encoded mailpiece information relating to themailpiece, and wherein processing the image comprises decoding theencoded mailpiece information.
 8. The method of claim 1, whereinprocessing the image comprises performing optical character recognitionon the unique identifier.
 9. A system for inducting a mailpiece into amailpiece distribution network and identifying and processing postagecomprising; a user interface configured to receive an image of amailpiece having a unique identifier thereon and configured to receivemailpiece information relating to the mailpiece, the unique identifierhaving been designed by the user and handwritten onto the item by theuser; a processor in communication with the user interface andconfigured to process the image to generate unique identifierinformation, and to associate the unique identifier information with apayment account of the user, and the processor further configured toreceive the mailpiece information from the user interface; a paymentsystem, in communication with the processor, configured to receive themailpiece information from the processor and to generate paymentinformation regarding the mailpiece; and a memory, in communication withthe processor, configured to store the unique identifier information,the mailpiece information, and the payment information; wherein theprocessor is further configured to associate the unique identifierinformation with the mailpiece information and the payment information;wherein the processor is further configured to associate the paymentinformation with the payment account of the user; wherein the processoris further configured to debit the payment amount of the user based onthe association of the payment information with the payment account;wherein the processor is further configured to generate postageinformation in response to the association of the unique identifierinformation and the mailpiece information; and wherein the processor isfurther configured to cause mailpiece processing equipment to move themailpiece into one of a plurality of locations based on the uniqueidentifier information, the associated mailpiece information, theassociated payment information and the associated payment account of theuser.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the unique identifier comprisesan alphanumeric string of characters.
 11. The system of claim 10,wherein the user interface is configured to receive a captured image ofan alphanumeric string of characters.
 12. The system of claim 11,wherein the processor is configured to generate an image from thecaptured image, and to perform optical character recognition of theimage of the unique identifier to identify the alphanumeric string ofcharacters.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the unique identifier isa computer readable code.
 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the uniqueidentifier includes encoded mailpiece information relating to themailpiece, and the processor is configured to decode the mailpieceinformation encoded in the unique identifier.
 15. The system of claim 9further comprising: a processing apparatus in communication with theprocessor, wherein the processing apparatus is configured to: receivethe mailpiece having the unique identifier thereon; scan the mailpieceto capture an image of the unique identifier; process the captured imageto generate the unique identifier information; and communicate theunique identifier information to the processor; wherein the processor isfurther configured to query the memory for stored unique identifierinformation corresponding to the read unique identifier information andto determine instructions for processing the mailpiece.
 16. The systemof claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to query the memory forpayment information associated with the unique identifier information,and wherein processing apparatus is further configured to process themailpiece based on the payment information associated with the uniqueidentifier information.
 17. A system for inducting a mailpiece into amailpiece distribution network and identifying and processing postagecomprising: means for receiving an image of a mailpiece having a uniqueidentifier thereon, the unique identifier having been designed by a userand handwritten on the mailpiece by the user; means for processing theimage to generate unique identifier information; means for storing theunique identifier information; means for associating the stored uniqueidentifier information with a payment account of the user; means forreceiving the mailpiece in a distribution network, the mailpiece havingthe unique identifier thereon; means for processing the mailpiece togenerate an image of the unique identifier; means for processing theimage of the unique identifier to generate read unique identifierinformation; means for querying the memory for the stored uniqueidentifier information; means for determining whether the read uniqueidentifier information corresponds to the stored unique identifierinformation and to the payment account of the user; means for debitingthe payment account of the user based on the determination; means forgenerating postage information in response to correspondence between theread unique identifier and the stored unique identifier; and means forcausing the mailpiece processing equipment to move the item into one ofa plurality of locations in response to the determination.